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About this project

ARMAGEDDONQUEST squirms and thrashes in a crawlspace it dug out with its bare talons, partway between the early graphic novel and classic "outsider" art. It's the comics version of the demon-haunted work of the young Daniel Johnston, raw, passionate, demented, electric.

--Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Crooked Little Vein)

The Skinny

Hey, folx. My name is Ron Roach, and Armageddonquest is my 900-page b&w graphic novel, which I spent 20 years writing and drawing. It's a classic tale done in a pretty oddball style: it chronicles the life of the Anti-Christ from birth to Armageddon, but in comix form. And in this story, the Anti-Christ is the good guy.

I'm hoping to achieve something I've always wanted to do: put the whole thing into a single giant-sized volume. This new edition will sport a new cover by GØDLAND's Thomas Scioli (p/i) and Bill Crabtree (c), who did a pretty bang-up job capturing the story in a single image (see below):

This new edition will be professionally designed by Ronnie Casson whose work can be seen on the gorgeous CAT-EYE BOY Volumes 1-2 from Viz Manga Group. Printing will be done by Malloy in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Malloy handled the nearly 1400-page BONE: THE ONE VOLUME EDITION, so they're more than qualified to print a high quality 900-page edition of AQ!

A completely overlooked trilogy of graphic novels about the Antichrist. Drawn by Roach over a 20-year period on anything from typing paper to napkins to worse, from what I understand, it's brilliant. Printed before its time; the right publisher could make a nice killing on its quirkiness.

–TOM SPURGEON, ComicsReporter.com

THE GOAL

If we can raise a minimum of $8500 we can reprint the first 1/3rd of AQ in this new edition, make it a "Volume 1 (of 3)" kind of thing. But if we can achieve the wild goal of raising $17,000 we can fit the whole 900-page monstrosity, plus bonus material, into a single "One Volume Edition" a la BONE - the way it was always meant to be read. Either way, my hat's off to anyone who helps us achieve even a stepping stone toward putting these comix back into readers' hands, whatever the page count.

I welcome those of you lucky enough to be discovering AQ for the first time. In 1993 there were just two issues available, covering about 160 pages of the story. The print runs were humble and the book was very hard to find. I was jealous of Starhead [Comics] for publishing such an important new comic. Believe the hype. You have never, ever seen a comic like AQ.

–ROBB HORAN, publisher, SIRIUS

THE REWARDS

We've spent a long time putting together some neat stuff to give everyone. For starters, anyone to contributes the lowest amount of $5 will get the whole 900-page work in CBZ & PDF form (you'll get access to both, your choice).

After that we've got digital copies of never before published AQ comics and illustrated prose stories (see below for sample illustrations). Also physical copies of the new edition at the $25 mark, and then digital copies of my entire comix library (a lifetime of work!) - that's over 700 pages of completed comix at the $50 mark.

Special Android OS User Package

Alternately, for those with Android-powered smart phones or tablets, we're offering the entire 900-pages of the Armageddonquest saga in 20 individual chapters, custom adapted by ROBOT COMICS (who did the incredible Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little App).

These adaptations will never be officially released on the Android market - they are exclusively for backers of this project alone. These adaptations use the most advance mobile comics software to date, combining frame-by-frame animation, transition effects, and vibration to create the most immersive digital comic reading experience I've ever encountered (no lie). These comics and all their SFX will be supported by Robot Comics' free Droid Comic Viewer app - the most popular Android comic viewer in the world.

Here's a video trailer to show everyone how the Android version looks in action:

Plus, to help you decide if these Android versions are for you, here's a link to download and test out the first Android-customized chapter of AQ:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING: To test this file out, you'll need to first download and install the free DROID COMIC VIEWER onto your Android device. Either search "Droid Comic Viewer" in the Android Market (the best way to do it), or, if your device does not have access to the Android Market, download the viewer from the AndAppStore be clicking here.

Once Droid Comic Viewer is installed, simply upload the acv file to your device via USB. Then open Droid Comic Viewer. Select "Menu", then "Open" and find find the Armageddonquest file and select it. Voila! It'll open in the viewer and enjoy.

High End Incentives

Beyond all this, we have higher-end incentives like Original Art (we have 900 pages to give away!) plus original art for covers (see images below), and even drawing new short comic stories starring YOU interacting with the world of AQ, PLUS you'll get to own all the original art for these stories, too!

AQ Original Cover #1 ($300 incentive):

AQ Original Cover #2 ($300 incentive):

If you've actually read this far: we'll just say thanks so much for reading! We're excited about printing AQ in a single volume, and we hope some of that excitement's rubbed off. Thanks again, and if you back us, we promise not to disappoint. And let me leave you with one last little rah-rah quotable + some preview pages:

Wow, that looks crazy, and perhaps awesome. At first glance it reminds me a bit of Jack Katz's First Kingdom, a fully-realized epic fantasy story with outsider art appeal. [But] outsider art seems like an unfair way to characterize this book. It's actually very accomplished...The artwork reminds me of Tezuka and something about it, maybe the lettering, makes me think of Ditko."

-TOM SCIOLI (GØDLAND)

Preview Pages

FAQ

Have a question?
If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

14 backers

You'll receive the entire 900-page epic in digital CBZ & PDF format, plus a thank you printed in the new edition of the book.

You selected

Pledge $15 or more

4 backers

You'll receive all of the above plus a digital edition of the never-before-published 12-page, full-color Armageddonquest short story "MOTHER INSTINCT", plus digital editions of four never-before-published illustrated prose stories by creator Ron Roach that fill in the gaps between chapters of the original Armageddonquest!

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

24 backers

You'll receive all of the above plus a physical copy of the new edition, with interior layout and design by RONNIE CASSON (VIZ's CAT-EYE BOY), and a new cover by TOM SCIOLI and BILL CRABTREE, artists of IMAGE COMIC'S GØDLAND. (International Backers please add $10 to their contribution to cover shipping).

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

10 backers

You'll receive all of the above ( International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ), PLUS the entire Ron Roach comix library in digital CBZ/PDF format - over 700 pages of completed comix stories including SPACEBUM (Ron's very first work, very crude, 8 pages), SNAIL TALES (mini-trilogy about galactic snails, 30 pages all together), COSMIKIDS and MATURITY (2 one-shots about cosmic-powered kids, 48 pages all together), AGENTS OF THE CHALICE GN (200 pages) + DEMIGOD (40 page sequel/epilogue to AGENTS), and then all the "Slammer/Prison comix" Ron did while he was a prison guard himself! Includes SLAMMER COMIX (an Armageddonquest Tie-in, starring Immanuel the 17th Incarnation of Christ in prison! 46 pages), GUARD COMIX GN (Starring super-guard, Gargantua! 131 pages), THE PRISON AND THE PLANET GN (an Armageddonquest Tie-in, 192 pages), STRESS IN THE SLAMMER (8 page short) All backers who choose a $50 incentive package must choose between this one or the special Android OS version below. All backers who come in at $75 or above will receive access to both $50 packages.

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

0 backers

Special ANDROID OS user package! Includes everything in the $25, $15, and $5 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ), plus the entire 900-pages of the Armageddonquest saga customized for your Android phone or tablet device in 20 individual chapters! These adaptations will NEVER be released on the Android market - they are EXCLUSIVELY FOR BACKERS OF THIS PROJECT ALONE. These adaptations combine frame-by-frame animation, transition effects, and vibration to create the most immersive digital reading experience we've ever experienced. These comics and all their SFX will be supported by ROBOT COMICS' free DROID COMIC VIEWER app - the most popular Android comic viewer in the world. To help you decide if these Android versions are for you, there's a VIDEO sample and also a LINK posted in this project's Description area to download and test out the first Android-customized chapter of AQ (http://www.killingthegrizzly.com/free-downloads-dl/armageddonquest_01.acv). All backers who choose a $50 incentive package must choose between the comix library above or this special Android version. All backers who come in at $75 or above will receive access to both.

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

0 backers

You'll receive all of the above, including both versions of the $50 package (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) plus an ORIGINAL B&W COMMISSIONED SKETCH by Ron Roach of any subject you desire.

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

2 backers
Limited (6 left of 8)

You'll receive all of the above (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS an ORIGINAL PIECE OF PIN-UP ART from the AQ archives. This will be first come first serve: we'll let backers choose their pin-up art in the chronological order they became backers. You can see all 8 pin-ups here: http://www.killingthegrizzly.com/aq-original-pin-ups

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

0 backers
Limited (900 left of 900)

GET AN ORIGINAL PAGE OF ART FROM THE GN! You'll receive everything in the $5-$50 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS an ORIGINAL PAGE OF ART from the Armageddonquest comic!!! This will be first come, first serve - we'll allow backers to select their page in the chronological order that they become backers for this project. ("Limited" to 900, heh)

You selected

Pledge $175 or more

0 backers
Limited (20 left of 20)

You'll receive everything in the $5-$50 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) plus Ron Roach will draw a 1-PAGE COMIC STARRING YOU, front and center, interacting with the world of Armageddonquest! Plus you'll receive the ORIGINAL ARTWORK!

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

0 backers
Limited (10 left of 10)

You'll receive everything in the $5-$50 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) plus Ron Roach will draw a 2-PAGE COMIC STARRING YOU, front and center, interacting with the world of Armageddonquest! Plus you'll receive both pages of ORIGINAL ARTWORK!

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

You'll receive everything in the $5-$50 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) plus Ron Roach will draw a 3-PAGE COMIC STARRING YOU, front and center, interacting with the world of Armageddonquest! Plus you'll receive all three pages of ORIGINAL ARTWORK!

You selected

Pledge $300 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

You'll receive everything in the $200 package (including the new 2-page comic starring you and the original art from this, yes! - add an additional $50 to your pledge to get the 3-pages of art instead, and International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS the ORIGINAL ART for the ORIGINAL ARMAGEDDONQUEST #1 COVER used by Starhead Comix in the 1980's! (see project description for image)

You selected

Pledge $300 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

You'll receive everything in the $200 package (including the new 2-page comic starring you and the original art from this, yes! - add an additional $50 to your pledge to get the 3-pages of art instead, and International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS the ORIGINAL ART for the ORIGINAL ARMAGEDDONQUEST #2 COVER used by Starhead Comix in the 1980's! (see project description for image)

You selected

Pledge $400 or more

0 backers
Limited (1 left of 1)

Everything in the $200 package (including the new 2-page comic starring you and the original art from this, yes! - add an additional $50 to your pledge to get the 3-pages of art instead, and International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS the ORIGINAL ART for the NEW COVER of this new AQ edition by Image Comics's GODLAND's TOM SCIOLI and BILL CRABTREE! (see project description for image)

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

You'll receive everything in the $5-$50 packages (International backers please include an additional $10 for shipping the physical copy of AQ) PLUS Ron will WRITE AND DRAW YOU DIRECTLY INTO THE MAIN STORY of AQ with a new never-before-seen chapter that will be INTEGRAL TO THE MAIN CHARACTER'S EVOLUTION. This new story will run a MINIMUM of 8 PAGES in length. You will also receive ALL ORIGINAL PAGES OF ART for this story! YEEEE-HAAAWWWW!!!

Funding period

Aug 25, 2010 - Oct 9, 2010
(45 days)

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